Crate & Barrel is a 170+ store American chain of retail stores specialising in housewares, furniture and home accessories. If you are looking for an alternative to IKEA or Franc Franc, Crate & Barrel now offers international shipping to Hong Kong.

For any cooking enthusiasts out there, go check out the German knife brand, Wusthof.

Wusthof is a family business founded back in 1814 in Solingen, Germany. Their products are made in Germany with superior quality, and have received great reviews by professional chefs worldwide. Although Wusthof knives are more highly priced than your ordinary kitchen knives, they are made with the perfect quality and come with a lifetime warranty. Take good care of them, and these knives will last a lifetime.

In Hong Kong, Wusthof kitchenware is currently supplied to restaurants and hotels only, and are unavailable for retail. But if you are interested in getting your hands on some of these premium quality knives, Crate & Barrel currently stocks a small range of them.

For example, the Classic Ikon Steak Knives Set (including 4 steak knives and a storage case) is now on sale for HK$2,504. Crate & Barrel offers express delivery to Hong Kong by DHL for HK$488. So the total price is just below HK$3,000 - not exactly the IKEA price range, but these knives will last a lifetime! (Across the Atlantic, the same set of Classic Ikon Steak Knives is also available at Harrods for £259. However, international delivery is not available.)

Unfortunately, the product range available at Crate & Barrel is different from those available in Europe. So if you are after the Ikon, Classic Ikon or X Line block sets, we would suggest that you go take a look the next time you are in Europe. (For instance, Harrods London currently has a very comprehensive range of Wusthof products in their Kitchenware Department.) But don't forget to put these knives in your check-in luggage!